MIDDLESBROUGH are unconcerned at mounting interest in Daniel Ayala – and are confident of tying the defender to a new long-term contract before the start of next season.

Ayala was one of the Teessiders’ star performers as they won promotion to the top-flight last term, and the Spaniard’s form has alerted a number of clubs to his growing reputation.

Newcastle United were linked with a possible move earlier this week, although it is hard to see why Ayala would willingly drop down a division, while West Brom could prove a more viable destination if Tony Pulis opts to step up his ongoing interest.

Middlesbrough are potentially vulnerable to suitors as Ayala is about to enter the final year of his current deal, having moved from Norwich City in 2013.

Boro would not want to lose him for nothing in 12 months’ time, but the situation should be resolved shortly with members of the Rockliffe Park hierarchy set to hold a new round of contract talks once pre-season training begins next month.

Some initial talks took place at the start of the year, but at that stage it was hard for Boro to make a concrete offer as they did not know what league they would be playing in.

That is no longer the case, and there is a strong determination to reach an agreement before the start of the Premier League season in mid-August.

Ayala is known to be happy on Teesside, and has shown no desire to leave Boro during his two-and-a-half years at the club. As a result, it is hoped a new deal will be agreed swiftly once Boro officials get the chance to sit around the table with the centre-half and his representatives.

Instead of selling defenders this summer, Boro are hoping to bolster their backline, and Colombian Bernardo Espinosa is set to make a straight choice between moving to Teesside or remaining at his current club, Sporting Gijon.

Espinosa is due to become a free agent at the end of this month, and has been approached by four different clubs who are interested in acquiring his services.

He has rejected a possible move to Watford and Bournemouth, leaving Boro and Sporting Gijon to fight for his signature.

Boro could outbid their Spanish rivals financially, although the situation is complicated by the knee injury that will prevent Espinosa from joining in with the start of pre-season training.

The Teessiders have confirmed their third pre-season friendly, with a game having been arranged at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, July 16 (3pm).